Allison & Taylor, a reference checking firm in Rochester Hills, is hired by many clients who want the company to verify that their former employer is saying bad things about them.

Allison & Taylor Vice President Jeff Shane warns that while many people think that the law prevents former employers from doing much besides confirming employment dates and titles, that's a misconception. "About 50 percent of the references we check come back with some variation of negative," Shane says.

If you're looking for a new job, don't be blindsided by a negative reference. If you have a suspicion you're being given one, here are some possible options:

Rewrite your resume. Eliminate any mention of the reference from your resume or application forms. Instead, offer someone more likely to give a positive assessment of your skills and contribution.

Head off the negativity. If you feel you must include the company as a reference, say something like: “Mr. Jones was my former supervisor, but we didn’t share the same perspective on some key issues. I’d recommend that you also speak with Ms. Smith, to give you a more balanced assessment of my contribution to that company.”

Talk to your former employer. Confront the person giving the poor reference and ask whether you can work out a mutually agreeable response to reference requests. You may be able to gain their consent to offering a neutral reference – confirming only employment dates and title – and, perhaps, get them to say something about you that borders on positive.

Call HR. Find out the company’s policy on providing a reference. Is your reference following policy? If not, contact the person again and remind him that adherence to corporate policy would be in his own best interest.

Send a cease-and-desist letter. You also may have cause for further legal action and can consult an attorney regarding your legal rights.